“Mountains are not stadiums where I satisfy my ambition to achieve, they are the cathedrals where I practice my religion.” – Anatoli Boukreev
A week or so after the training was completed in the Picos De Europa, the Collett’s team for the Pyrenees arrived into Panticosa to begin their training period. In an area that is more familiar to us and where we have a great relationship with the locals, it really felt like a home coming.
We had a jam packed programme to complete and ended up walking for 7 of the 9 days allocated for training! Training on the mountain is where it’s at….
We covered all the same bits and pieces as the Picos team, as well as trying our best to orientate the guys in their new home. We walked on both the Spanish and French side of the Pyrenees, on the GR11 and GR10, in the Ordesa Canyon, throughout the Valle de Tena, all the while in various weather conditions over all types of terrain in all conditions (including trudging through lots of snow!).
The team in the Pyrenees were very good to us; Ric, Cam, Sam and Caitlin were a delight to be around and so enthusiastic about getting to know the local area. It was awesome to be able to have mountain days with friends old and new 🙂 and we are extremely grateful to the guys for their continued energy throughout the training sessions. The pancakes definitely helped 🙂 TRUMPET GENTIAN!
The beauty of the Pyrenees is unparalleled (controversial!!) leaving the visitor in awe of its magnificence. The peaks, the edges, the cliff faces, the rocks are all so severe that they combine to give such drama and they never look the same. The light is constantly changing; the shadows getting darker or disappear altogether, which means the mountains look great regardless of the weather or the time of day. When the mountains pose so well it’s a dream for a camera. Here are just a few (of the 300) photos from the Pyrenees.
“Faeries, come take me out of this dull world,
For I would ride with you upon the wind,
Run on the top of the dishevelled tide,
And dance upon the mountains like a flame.”
― W.B. Yeats, The Land of Heart’s Desire
Les Vignes Basses 
Your stunning photographs evoke such wonderful memories, Thank you! You guys are just so right to do your travelling and enjoy adventuring whilst you are young. I made the mistake of following a career and then starting the serious adventures post retirement. The first five years were FANTASTIC but then time and age began to take their toll. The spirit is still strong, but at times almost too heavy to carry.
Best Wishes Bob
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